THE LIAR’S DIARY Blog Day

by Susan Henderson on January 28, 2008

Today, over 300 bloggers, including bestsellers, Emmy winners, movie makers, and publishing houses have come together to talk about THE LIAR’S DIARY by Patry Francis. Why? To give the book the attention it deserves on its release day while Patry takes the time she needs to heal from cancer.

Before I talk about this book, I’d like to tell you a story about how this extraordinary day happened.

What if you worked for years as a waitress and then went home at the end of the day to your husband and four kids, and in those rare minutes of free time, you dared to dream that one day you might write a book? This is the story of my friend, Patry – a story that leaves out years of false starts, revisions, and rejection slips. It’s a story that writers know intimately, though the details are different. Every one of us is well acquainted with the struggle of getting a story on paper, of honing it and believing in it enough to send it out, only to receive rejection, or worse, silence for our efforts.

Imagine, after many years, you beat the odds. You finish that book. You find that agent who sells your manuscript. Your dream is about to become a reality. But just as your book is due to be released, you discover you have an aggressive form of cancer.

Patry’s story struck such a deep chord with many of us, not just because she is our friend, but because those of us who know her or read her blog have relied on her company through the ups and mostly downs of trying to write and sell a book. She is our buoy. She has shown us time and again her great gift for shedding light in the dark. Even her blog post about her cancer showed this – in her greatest time of need, she was still somehow comforting all of us and showing us glimpses of joy.

On New Year’s Day, or thereabouts, Laura wrote to me, calling my attention to Patry’s publication date. “Perhaps we could do a ‘Patry Francis/Liar’s Diary’ blog-o-rama or carnival or something to promote the book?” she wrote. “I’m such an amateur at this stuff that I don’t know what’s possible.”

I didn’t give a moment’s thought to what we might try to pull off, or how; I simply said, “Yes! Let’s do it!”

It’s very important to me that Laura is recognized for her initial gesture – not just because she’s a great and generous woman, but because it says something about the strength of the heart over the kinds of power most of us are without. When you see the amazing outpouring of support and the high-profile people who joined this effort, remember it started with one small voice.

What began as a personal gesture of caring for a friend became an astonishing show of community – writers helping writers; strangers helping strangers; and most surprising of all, editors, agents and publishers, who have no stake in this book, crossing “party lines” to blog, to make phone calls, and to send out press releases.

This effort has made visible a community that is, and has been, alive and kicking – a community that understands the struggle artists go through and rejoices in each other’s successes. It’s a community made up of many small voices, but – guess what? – those many small voices can create some noise. So while today is for Patry, it’s also a symbolic gesture for all of you who work so very hard for little or no recognition, for all of you who keep going despite the rejections, and for all of you who have had illness or other outside factors force your art or your dreams aside. We are in this together.

Answering the question of what is more powerful—family or friendship? this debut novel unforgettably shows how far one woman would go to protect either.

They couldn’t be more different, but they form a friendship that will alter both their fates. When Ali Mather blows into town, breaking all the rules and breaking hearts (despite the fact that she is pushing forty), she also makes a mark on an unlikely family. Almost against her will, Jeanne Cross feels drawn to this strangely vibrant woman, a fascination that begins to infect Jeanne’s “perfect” husband as well as their teenaged son.

At the heart of the friendship between Ali and Jeanne are deep-seated emotional needs, vulnerabilities they have each been recording in their diaries. Ali also senses another kind of vulnerability; she believes someone has been entering her house when she is not at home—and not with the usual intentions. What this burglar wants is nothing less than a piece of Ali’s soul.

When a murderer strikes and Jeanne’s son is arrested, we learn that the key to the crime lies in the diaries of two very different women . . . but only one of them is telling the truth. A chilling tour of troubled minds, The Liar’s Diary signals the launch of an immensely talented new novelist who knows just how to keep her readers guessing.

And now, here are Patry’s words, which I lifted off her blog: “Though my novel deals with murder, betrayal, and the even more lethal crimes of the heart, the real subjects of THE LIAR’S DIARY are music, love, friendship, self-sacrifice and courage. The darkness is only there for contrast; it’s only there to make us realize how bright the light can be. I’m sure that most writers whose work does not flinch from the exploration of evil feel the same.”

Ready to buy the book? Why not buy one for yourself and one for a friend? And if you like it, tell people!

You’re about to see a very long list of those who are taking part in THE LIAR’S DIARY Blog Day. I hope you’ll check out the links because some of these folks got very creative. For example, my friend, Aurelio O’Brien, made up these buttons and stickers:

Tee hee. I just decided I want “anonymous literary goodness” for my birthday (and updated my blog accordingly). So if you see a random copy of A LIAR’S DIARY on the streets of NYC… Read it, and then leave it out for someone else to discover!

Wow, I’ve just been scrolling up and down this page, basking in the wonderful side of all of this.
Susan, you’re amazing.
Hugs and love to you, too, Patry — I’m sure you’ll be by here.
Great job, everyone.
xo,
Robin

I can’t wait to read the Liar’s Diary! I am honored to add my name to the list of people who are supporting this effort! Susan, your words are beautiful! I was touched, inspired and moved while reading Patry’s blogs!

Hurray! Patry day is finally here. There is so much collective love for Patry right now, she must feel a few thousand gallons of bliss. My piece is already up and I’m going to spend all day tomorrow clicking every link here.

Just posted mine on Live Journal.
I even managed posting the same on MySpace (a technical challenge, I wasn’t too sure how the settings are working there).
My Bloggy blog is purely for pictures but if I find the inspiration for a haiga, I shall drop by later on with the link.
Thanks for organizing this Susan.
N.

I am so verklempt right now. What a beautiful post; what an amazing day…I know I sound like a broken record but I am just so thrilled to be a part of this and will probably spend the entire day reading all of your blogs with a box of Kleenex nearby.

I checked Amazon last night. Before today even began, Patry’s book was at 26,000 in sales. There is no doubt in my mind that we are sending that book to #1 today. I have the chills just thinking about it.

I’m still locked out of LitPark (and still recovering from the flu so everything is a little slower than normal and it will take me most of the day to get caught up on mail) but want to add some links here, and correct the link for Murderati:

Wow, now this is fascinating to read a review from the perspective of classical musicians – nice!

P.S. I’ll fix that link as soon as my webmaster finds me a new set of keys. I managed to lock myself out of the site last night trying to post and talk on the phone to the Dominican Republic at the same time!

Just a quick note to say thank you for this post. And thank God for writer buddies who give a big whoop when another one sags. I hope to goodness I never go through this, but, if I do, I know all the people on this list care.

I’m also excited to be taking part in such a wonderful endeavor for another author. The writing world might be a difficult one, but it’s filled with loving souls and this just proves it. Kudos to Laura, Susan and all who made this happen. Mega success and good health to Patry. My blog got posted this morning.

Susan, I am currently also compiling a list of the most generous people in the world culled from the 300 bloggers participating – they are currently emailing me like crazy and have offered to pick up where I leave off after I have receipts for my first twenty sales of The Liar’s Diary. So far Tish Cohen is donating any of her books, Jessica Keener chimed in with her book, so did Laura Benedict, and Alice Tasman has 10 copies of Patry’s book which got me thinking…perhaps if one of our readers already has Patry’s book and would like one for a friend, if they will purchase two books from one of the wonderful people responsible for this event or anyone on the list of 300, we can work it out that way.

This is incredibly exciting, isn’t it? My faith in humanity is restored!

Susan, you are phenomenal . This is a great day for writers and readers! Thanks to everyone who is participating. Let’s get Liar’s Diary to number 1! At Backstory (http://mjroseblog.typepad.com/) we’re giving away three copies of Patry’s book to the first three who leave a comment. Jessica Keener

Amazing–Susan and Laura and Patry and all. I’ve been trying to avoid the Internet (except for email) and wouldn’t you know it, but Ellen Meister thought to get to me that way. And thank goodness she did. How could I not be a part of this outpouring? Get well soon, Patry–we’re all pulling for you! XOXO, Mary

Susan, you’re amazing. Your post is amazing, so much so that I sat at my computer for five hours last night, unable to write my own. Robin, yours is too too too fabulous and brings back delicious memories of New York. I can’t even read your comments here without bawling. I’m just picturing Patry bundled up on the sofa with her coffee, beaming.

I, too, am giving away free copies of my hardcover edition of Make a Scene at my blog and am offering copies of my newest book, Write Free: Attracting the Creative Life, to people who visit Robin Slick’s blog and do as she asks

I’m recent to Patry’s blog, having come across it while frantically scouring writing sites and blogs for hope that my book just might sell to one of the editors who would soon be receiving it. Patry’s post that day was one of the most moving pieces of writing I’ve ever read– and I’m obsessive about finding writing that moves me. I’m sure you all remember the post I found, the words I won’t forget:

Don’t know; just have to accept.

The words were serendipitous as far as my intent that particular day but far more serendipitous about my life in general. I’ve since read Liar’s Diary and loved it, reading it in one sitting on a rainy Saturday afternoon. I don’t have a blog but I want to participate today. I’ve ordered the paperback for five friends and another five copies that I’m going to donate to my local library. Thanks, Patry. My wish for you is another Jane Hirshfield quote:
….Let her
have a chair, her shadeless lamp,
the table. Let one or two she loves
be in the next room. Let the door
be closed, the sleeping ones healthy.
Let her have time, and silence,
enough paper to make mistakes and go on.

That’s an awe-inspiring list of writers you put together. Great job, Susan.

More than anything, it is so cool to hear how Patry Francis fought the dayjob and all the other life pressures to put out her dream book. It’s exactly the kind of story my readers need to hear, and her example keeps me writing as well. I finally put up my post, I was proud to join with your community today.

This is just so amazing, Susan. I’ve spent all afternoon visiting other blogs, and I’m humbled and amazed by every single person who’s taking part in this. It would be so incredible if Patry made it to #1!!

Hi Susan – I am a great fan of Patry, so please count me in! I am blogging about this today. Thank you and the others so much for organizing this, it is a truly amazing community effort and Patry is such a wonderful person and writer, she totally deserves this! Kerstin

I wrote to a contact at Amazon, asking him to try to get it on the front page of the site, and got this in reply: “Hi, Lauren! Fantastic story, one that I just learned about myself. There is likely little I can do about getting this up on the Amazon homepage — that is unfortunately out of my control. What I am doing is putting a placement about this on our Shorts homepage, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/13993911/ref%3Dshrt%5Fsu%5F/103-0233064-2304668, and will pass the campaign on to the books team for them to consider placing up on the books pages. Great story, happy to do my part!”

So at least it’s on the front page of the Amazon Shorts portion of the site and more may yet grow from this.

Talk about spinning heads! When I first wrote about my illness, I decided that if I was forced to drink an ounce of pain and trouble, the only answer was to counter it with two ounces of bliss. Little did I know that through all of you, I would consume a whole case of it. As a consummate daydreamer, I’m in awe of Sue, Laura, Karen, Jessica, Tish, my agent Alice, Sue’s agent, Dan, the folks at Backspace and Red Room and Circle of Seven Video and so many others who envisioned this day, pooled their resources and really made it happen. To them, and to all of you who have responded with such amazing generosity, I send a bottomless case of gratitude–and love. Lots and lots of love.

Just want to remind folks that if they want a cool blogging widget that links to several bookstores and online thingies like worldcat and librarything and other folks, you can visit my Patry widget page here:

Congratulations on your paperback debut, Patry! I came late to the party, but not too late, and I hope the readers of my blog, History Buff, will all rush out and get what is an absolutely fantastic book!

Wow this is a great post! Thank you! My friend Jody Reale forwarded this to me… I want to know if I could post this on my website and help generate some more traffic for the book and for Patry. My web site is http://www.GodBlessHumanity.com a web site promoting ordinary people doing extraordinary things for humanity. This is such an inspiring story! My email address is gayle@GodBlessHumanity.com if anyone is interested. I’m interested in just posting this exact story and give credit to Susan Henderson for writing.

Hi Susan. I came across Neil Gaiman’s blurb today, and “seeded” the content to Newsvine, encouraging others to do the same — despite the fact that doing so would mean duplicate posts of the same story.

Sue,
Even though I don’t know Patry, my life is certainly touched by many people with cancer. Above all, I do believe that one person can make a difference and that the global community of the internet that I have asked to jump on board for one of my causes has always shown to have a big heart and been supportive ‘just because i asked them to.’

People that have picked this up from my blog and reposted, are in London, Australia, Puerto Rico Germany and the US, so that kind of rocks 😉

I have to admit that I have spent a lot of time since last night getting gloriously caught up in so many of these brilliant writer’s blogs who have participated here. That is a gift in itself to be exposed to so many people’s work that I would not otherwise have known about.

You, Sue, have one of the loveliest spirits of all that i have ever encountered in cyberspace and I have been honoured to be even a little part of this.

I love how everyone has blanketed Patry with love and support and book purchases!! and such positive collective energy and I hope that it helps to lift her up to health and strength.

Sue – What a great place you’ve created here at LitPark and what an astounding thing to see so many writers come together in this way. I don’t know Patry the way you all do but she must really be something to have generated such an overwhelming response. Wonderful job everyone! Quick story – I just came back from our local Barnes & Noble. I was thumbing through “The Liar’s Diary” (yes, I bought a copy) which was prominently displayed in the center aisle on the “New Fiction” table when I ran into a group of friends. I told them about you and all the writers involved in the blog-a-thon going into my best elevator pitch. Bingo! Four copies sold on the spot and a recommendation for a book discussion group. Ha. I’m shameless.

My apologies for letting this slip my mind yesterday, but I managed to post something at http://www.forbeck.com today. Here’s you Patry for such courage and such friends, and to you, Susan, for such a great idea and effort.

I just wanted to stop by and leave a comment because I think this is truly a wonderful thing you are doing. We always think that writing is a solitary venture until we get our works out into the public in book form, thus sharing our passions with others. It is so good to know that it isn’t as solitary as we once believed. This is a truly amazing thing you have done and I just wanted to be one small part of it. What a wonderful woman Patry must be to have so many dear friends band about her in her time of need – and what wonderful friends you are to be there for her when she needs you the most. This is the stuff that truly great books are made of, and speaking of great books, The Liar’s Club looks like it tops the list. So, looks like I’m going to have add to my ever-expanding TBR pile and get this book! And to Patry, my thoughts are with you, you’re in my prayers, so get well soon and take good care of yourself. Your book is in good hands with the wonderful circle of friends you have. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Margay.

I forgot to mention that I’ve posted an actual screenshot of THE LIAR’S DIARY at the #1 Amazon position. Feel free to use the image as evidence that “viral book promotion” really works. Congratulations Patry!

Hello!
I came across this project through reading about it in Neil Gaiman’s blog. I read through all of the information provided, and I must say it is so wonderful the support that is being given to Patry. Even though I am a bit late in joining the blog promotions, I made a post in my blog (which can be found here http://sweetandsnarky.livejournal.com/33523.html) and have made a few posts in the literature forums I am involved with. Cheers to everyone involved in this. It is truly fantastic.

Just a thought….I know the big day is over but I was thinking we could keep it rolling by contacting local papers about the story. It’s a great human interest/tech story. Reporters love to talk about the power of blogging these days. So, another little bit you might do to help is let newspapers know what happened yesterday so they can reach a different group.
Fingers crossed that the Ann Arbor News wants to hear more….

I came here by way of Neil Gaiman’s blog and felt moved to blog about it too. I’ve just had my first novel released, and boy it’s a busy and exciting and most of all, stressful time. It’s amazing how great the blogging community is. And here’s wishing Patry all the best with the book!

Wow. This is so wonderful! I am so proud of you! I will definetely buy your book. I, too, a long time waitress, a mother of two, decided to pursue Creative Writing studies at the university — because of the dream. You give me hope. You strengthen my dream.

I wish you all the best. May all the blessings deserved shower you — now & always.

I’ve been catching up on about a month’s worth of mail I’d let go… and other things. All I can say about the notes here is that I admire you guys and am just really touched, not just by your support of Patry but what I know about you as writers and artists and all of what that means.

Thank you for those of you who want to take the baton and run with it because this runner needs to pass out. I hope the story continues….I hope it goes far.

p.s. I’ll try to get this list updated after I get home tonight. My soccer team is throwing a sort of Patry benefit open-mic concert tonight, and I’ll see how much I can get done when I get home from that. Thank you again. All of you. Hugely.

I found out about this through Tess Gerritsen and Gayle Brandeis’ blogs– and then read Patry’s blog– her posts are luminescent from the one where she kicks of her waitressing shoes the day she finds out her novel is sold to the one where it takes her five months to muster up a doctor’s appointment. I’ll be posting about her novel on my blog.

I had some help updating the list of contributors, which was very very nice. Unfortunately the way that list was sent to me created all kinds of weird breaks. I’ll fix that tomorrow. Apologies to all my OCD readers because I know it’s making you feel all twitchy. xo

There were two of us trying to keep track of the master list, and I think when we merged them we lost names.

(If anyone else here saw their name fall off the list, just leave a note here and I’ll fix it. I don’t have the most organized head in the world, but I am so happy for every one of you who joined the effort!)

I just learned about this, but it is so amazing that I had to blog about it, even though I didn’t have the opportunity to take part in the original event. This is why I love writers, we take care of, and root for each other. And I am rooting for Patry to heal completely.

I am so late to the party, that nearly everyone’s gone home by now. Yet I still felt the need to do something to honor Patry, who has done so much for so many, through her life, her blog, her writing. So I added a post of my own, in my own tiny corner of the blogworld. As Patry has shown through her own writing (and now, you and so many others in the blogworld) – every voice, every word, every story counts.
Wishing her good health, much bliss, and many book sales!

First, thank you for restoring my faith in people, that kind-hearted people still exist in this materialistic world.
Second, I was (and still visit frequently even though Patry doesn’t update her blog as before due to her illness) an avid reader of Patry’s blog since 2005. In 2007, while still living in UK, I visited the States and the first thing I did was to buy a copy of Patry’s first novel the Liar’s Diary. I loved the book and suggested it to many of my friends to read. Patry is a great writer and I will be waiting for her next book. Patry, I wish you will publish all your short stories in a book. I loved reading them on your blog. Best wishes and wish you a speedy recovery.
Regards
Soad, a struggling writer

About LitPark

I started LitPark (a literary playground) in 2006 in order to build a supportive community of writers and artists who are in this game for the long haul. Together, through blog posts, interviews, and moving stories told in the comments' section, we've shared our struggles and doubts, our best advice, and helped to remind each other how to enjoy this work we do.